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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Health in Social Science : Clinical Psychology

Postgraduate Course: Psychological Skills Placement (CLPS11095)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Health in Social Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typePlacement AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis is a compulsory core course for full-time MSc Psychological Therapies students. This course aims to support students' preparation and readiness for clinical practice and is one of the key progression points for students commencing to CBT Placement 1, in semester 2.
Students will build competency in key relationship skills such as active listening, empathy and engagement; they will understand the principles behind managing an effective therapeutic session; and will appreciate the context surrounding therapeutic work. Students will develop skills in management of initial mental health assessment and responding to risk. Student will develop understanding of and demonstrate, professional practice and accountability.
Course description This is a core course for the full-time two-year MSc Psychological Therapies.

Through observation and practice, successful students will gain the basic skills and knowledge required to begin therapeutic practice. Students will have the opportunity to observe and shadow expert practice through remote and/or face-to-face delivery. Core clinical skills will be taught, allowing students to be ready to develop more specific on-model therapeutic knowledge and skills later in the Programme. Students will build competency in key relationship skills such as active listening, empathy and engagement; they will understand the principles behind managing an effective therapeutic session; and will appreciate the context surrounding therapeutic work.

Students are required to achieve minimum of 50 hours introductory clinical practice through skills observation and skills practice using online role play and vignette demonstrations, attendance at small group teaching and observation of clinical skills. The student will keep a reflective record of the 50 hours of practice, with reflection and a note of learning in relation to clinical skills and professional practice.

Placement readiness will be assessed by course supervisors, in completion of 50 hours of practice and by passing OSCE assessments.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Readiness for practice will be assessed via:

Formative assessment: Role play - initial mental health assessment. Marked in relation to Roth and Pillings core therapeutic competencies, formative feedback provided.

Summative assessment:

1. Objective Standard Clinical Exam (OSCE) Student will be tested on 3 areas of clinical practice. (100%).
2. Submission of completed 50 hours framework (pass/fail).
Feedback Clinical supervision (10 hours: in small groups and 1-1) will provide feedback on clinical practice. The student is expected to provide anonymised material from their practice placement (e.g. clinical recordings, written session plans, reflective diaries) to facilitate this feedback.

This includes a minimum of 3 pieces of work indicating an awareness of psychological practice issues: a case summary, a reflective practice diary entry for an observed session and a recording of a role-played session
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate competent ability in the application of basic therapeutic techniques under supervision including establishing rapport with a patient, active listening, non-judgmental stance, reflective summarizing.
  2. Demonstrate a competent knowledge of therapeutic practice under supervision; setting up & conducting clinical sessions, keeping appropriate notes under supervision
  3. Demonstrate a critical understanding and application of general professional skills: setting and managing boundaries, handling disclosure, managing cultural differences
  4. Demonstrate an ability to hold a constructively critical and self-reflective stance towards therapeutic practice
Reading List
Kennerley, H, Kirk, J and Westbrook, D (2017) An Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy : Skills and Applications Sage: London

Yalom, I.D (2002) The Gift of Therapy. Reflections on being a therapist. HarperCollins: USA.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills This course is part of a suite that supports graduates to be:
- creative problem solvers and researchers
- critical and reflective thinkers
- effective and influential contributors
- skilled communicators
- trust-worthy supporters
KeywordsPsychological therapy,core therapy skills,placement,supervision
Contacts
Course organiserMiss Emma Clark
Tel:
Email: E.Clark@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Clara Shaw
Tel: (0131 6)51 3970
Email: Clara.Shaw@ed.ac.uk
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